SEEING GOD IN OUR WORLD

This is my first attempt at blogging which has less to do with the fact that I have nothing to say than it does with the fact that I am challenged in nearly all aspects of computer use. About the only thing that I know how to do is type, which has me longing for the old days of the typewriter when I could put words on paper with simple taps of the keys. But then, who would ever see the words that I wrote? Just because I now have a blog, there is still no guarantee that anyone will ever read what I write, but at least the opportunity is available. If you do happen to stumble across this page, I hope that you will find it interesting, thoughtful and encouraging.

It is odd, I suppose, that a blog called godinpictures has no actual illustrations on display, not even one of the author, but in time there will be some available. I do intend to add some color soon, but how long that takes is entirely dependent upon how long it takes me to figure out how to achieve the task, or to employ the assistance of someone more technologically savvy than myself.

The fact that we are pictureless, however, actually fits right in with the purpose of this blog, which is to see God in the pictures of your (the readers) lives, not in images on a computer. I believe in a God that is real and a God who shows Himself clearly in the things that happen in all of our lives each and every day. He does that with pictures. Romans 1:19-20 tells us that the things of God are shown in the things that He has created; this is a blog written by someone who believes that we ought to take a closer at the illustrations if we really want to know the character and heart of God better.

LIGHTS

Jesus tells us in the sermon on the mount in Matthew 5, that we are the light of the world. While many Christians are content to read this and understand the truth that light shines in darkness and helps people find their way, I am compelled to look closer.

Lights do shine into the darkness and cause it to evaporate, but that is only one aspect of the picture of a light: another, perhaps more important consideration, must be given to the fact that no light operates independently. It must have a source of power or there will be no light at all. In our day lights must be screwed into a fixture, and they must be plugged into the wall or powered by a battery. In previous days light came from candles and lanterns, nevertheless, it still required a seperate giver of fire before it could shine its own light.

The same thing is true for those of us who would show God's light in the world--before that can happen we must be plugged into the source of power and light, which is God. No matter how hard you try, you cannot put a dent in the darkness if you are not connected to anything.

It is also important to note design in lights and candles. Both had to be made in a certain way to best produce light. Manufacturers of both candles and lights are very deliberate in creating instruments that will not just accept the source and be able to effectively respond, but to do so in a way that will create maximum illumination.

And this is exactly what God has done with the design of those of us that He calls "the light of the world." Would God be any less precise in his design for maximum efficiency than are the manufacters of physical lighting tools? I do not think so.

So, if you really want to shine God's light in the world, you can be confident in knowing that you have been designed to do so effectively. Just remember, however, that your design will do you absolutely no good if you do not ensure that you are plugged into the source. And that source is God.

Are you plugged in today?